Residents call for independent police oversight and accountability at Lakewood council meeting after death of transgender woman

During the Oct. 13 public comment period at the Lakewood City Council meeting, multiple speakers urged the city to pursue independent oversight and accountability for the handling of a missing-person investigation and the subsequent death of a transgender woman identified by speakers as Jax.

Speakers described a long, community-led search and said they had been frustrated by what they called poor communication and alleged mistreatment by investigation staff. "There has to be some form of accountability, and there needs to be someone stepping in to take a look at what's been going on in this investigation," said Brandy Burns Carey, who identified herself as a friend of the deceased and an advocate for the family. Carey told the council the family and community had spent weeks searching and called for an external review.

Several people read statements or spoke on behalf of Jax—s mother, Sherilyn Graton. Amanda Phillips read a…